Rochdale v Newcastle United: FA Cup third-round tips, odds & prediction

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Rochdale v Newcastle United in the FA Cup third round at Spotland.

Where to watch

BT Sport 1, 12.31pm Saturday

Best bet

Dwight Gayle first scorer
1pt 5-1 Betway
Back this tip with Paddy Power

Team news

Rochdale
MJ Williams is available after suspension but Rhys Norrington-Davies is a doubt.

Newcastle
DeAndre Yedlin (broken hand) is a doubt and Jetro Willems, Jonjo Shelvey, Javi Manquillo and Fabian Schar were forced off with injuries against Leicester on Wednesday. They look set to miss out alongside Paul Dummett, Ki Sung-Yueng, Allan Saint-Maximin, Ciaran Clark and Jamaal Lascelles, who have been unavailable since Christmas. Matt Ritchie (ankle) could feature.

Match preview

Newcastle's season has taken a turn for the worse with three successive league defeats and Steve Bruce's injury-ravaged side may have to dig deep to get past Sky Bet League One hosts Rochdale in the FA Cup third round.

When the draw was made Newcastle's trip to Spotland did not look especially daunting.

However, it has become a whole lot tougher after a miserable few weeks which have taken a toll on the health and morale of Bruce's squad.

The FA Cup is held in high regard by most Newcastle fans, who long for their team to challenge for silverware, but the Magpies have not won the competition since 1955 and have not reached the final since losing 2-0 to Manchester United in 1999.

In recent years they have a miserable record – failing to get beyond the fourth round in 13 attempts.

As a former Newcastle fan, Bruce would love nothing more than to give supporters the success they crave but he must balance thoughts of glory with the pressing need to pull the club away from the relegation zone.

Bruce's selection is further complicated by the absence of up to 11 players.

Fabian Schar, Jetro Willems, Jonjo Shelvey, Javi Manquillo started and failed to finish the 3-0 loss at home to Leicester on New Year's Day and DeAndre Yedlin played on with a broken hand.

However, unused substitutes Dwight Gayle and Andy Carroll should feel fresh and could form a potent strike partnership against one of the poorest defences in the third tier.

Rochdale have shipped 41 League One goals – the fourth highest in the division – although they looked more solid when winning 2-1 at Accrington on Wednesday.

On-loan Blackburn defender Tyler Magloire and veteran centre-back Paul McShane have recently overcome injuries to bolster the backline.

And Dale received another major boost with prolific striker Ian Henderson shaking off a dead leg to notch the opener against Accrington.

Dale are probably in better shape than they have been for several months but the markets have reacted accordingly, meaning they are only a shade of odds-against to avoid defeat against Premier League opposition.

At those odds they don't appeal because Newcastle, for all their injuries, should have more quality on the pitch.

Carroll's aerial power is a danger to Dale's defence but the main threat could come from the pacy Gayle, who will be keen to give his manager a nudge.

Gayle netted 23 league goals while on loan at West Brom last season and should be even more effective against third-tier opposition.